The Alpha Wants Everything Book 2 The Devil's Baker

2:30 Saturday morning, Kenzi’s eyes fluttered open. She didn’t really want to get up, she didn’t sleep well last night, something felt like it was missing. Her body hurt and movement was a bit difficult but she eventually pulled her tired body from the bed. Standing in front of her mirror she lifted her shirt to see the bruises on her body. They would heal and fade, and with her relationship with Adam being over, she wouldn’t get anymore. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as she crossed to her bathroom. Why wasn’t she more upset by this? Why didn’t it bother her? She spent the remainder of yesterday dissecting why she wasn’t more upset. This should be bothering her, her relationship of almost a year was over, but it wasn’t. She felt happy, and free. Then another thought popped into her head, one that she’s been thinking about since she met him. He popped into her head yesterday several times as well. She shouldn’t be thinking about him, not like that. But she was, he made her skin dance and tingle and that she really didn’t understand.

His hands on her, her body craving his touch, wanting his touch. Her body moved on its own for his touch. But he’s not hers, he’s not her boyfriend, so why does she want him? Why can’t she stay away from him? Why does she want to know what it would be like to kiss him? Cause there’s sum-thing wrong with me! Maybe she should stay away from him and the thoughts might stop, but she didn’t want to. She wasn’t even sure she wanted the thoughts to stop. She’s had these thoughts the day she saw him and she didn’t understand it then, she had a boyfriend then. Thinking about Adam as she stood in the bathroom and she felt immensely guilty. Not because she thought about kissing another man while she was dating Adam. She felt guilty because she was thinking of Adam.

“What is wrong with me?” She said out loud. Not understanding anything that is happening to her, she turned the shower on, she would think about this at work. Baking helped her think.

Adonis woke up at 3:30, not sure why he was awake at that time he tried rolling over and falling back to sleep, but he just lied there. Friday was boring, the two and a half hour drive to the city, not wanting to waste any time he didn’t even settle into his owners suite at the hotel. He wandered around listening to the history of it. He liked the old architecture and the fact that any addition they added since then was made to blend with it. The staff was friendly, good at their jobs, the previous owner wanted to retire and didn’t want to give it to his greedy children. Then he moved onto the investment company. He spent most of Friday afternoon in meetings with various people at Beaumont Investments. He couldn’t remember all their names, nor did he care too, some of them didn’t make the cut anyway. When this part was over he would relinquish control to a president he would assign.

There was however one name that really intrigued him James McCoy. Figuring this must be the James Teagan was talking about. He was the only James at the company and he had in fact been there for ten years. He was really the only one he wanted to talk to. It’s cause she’s not here! Odin sounded restless as well as he interrupted his thoughts. How soon till we see her? Tonight at the party! We’ll get to hunt her! She won’t be blending! Especially when she’s on the arm of the boss. What were you thinking that I smelled smoke? Asshole! So are you. What were you thinking? The meeting I had with James! What about it? Some things he said didn’t make sense! Was he lying? No, but someone is! The stupid bitch of a sister? I think she’s lying to everyone! The meeting with James played over in his mind.

“Mr. McCoy, you’ve been with the company ten years”

“Yes sir! I’ve learned a lot in those ten years, and I hope to learn more in the next ten.” They spoke of his work, his success, all his accomplishments. Nothing Adonis actually wanted to talk about. The man was good at his job, and he had no reason to fire him. In fact to do so and have him work with a competitor could prove detrimental to his company in the long run. No James would be staying at the company, plus it made keeping tabs on his mate’s sister easier.

“Tell me something about yourself James.” The question seemed to throw him a bit, he wasn’t sure what to say. “Are you married, engaged, dating? I’m trying to see how serious you are about your future and that will tell me how serious you are about your future with this company” Adonis pushed.

“I am seeing someone. Have been for two years now.” He replied,

“Two years is a long time to be just seeing someone” Adonis stated looking down at the files on his desk that needed to be looked over. Picking a random one up he started going through it.

“It is! I bought a ring a while back, but it sits in my sock drawer. I can’t bring myself to ask her” He replied,

“Afraid she might say no” Adonis asked, still going over the file.

“Afraid she might say yes.” This caused Adonis to finally look up from the file, that was not the answer he was expecting.

“I’m serious about her, but I’m not sure if it’s me or the money she’s more serious about and then there’s her weird relationship with her sister.” James continued when he saw Adonis sit up straighter.

“Weird relationship with her sister?” Adonis arched his eyebrow at him.

“I don’t know, she has something against her. Teagan tells me there’s something wrong with her. I honestly couldn’t tell you if there was, I mean aside from a lack of confidence. I’ve only met her a few times but she appeared to be a genuine person, unsure of herself and maybe a little….innocent. Teagan said she had discipline issues when she was younger, but I don’t know, I just don’t see it, she seemed….really sweet. I think the longest conversation I had with her was maybe two minutes. I learned enough to know that she’s the baker for that bakery everyone talks about. What’s the name of it, Talk Sweet or Sweet Talk or something like that. It’s been written up several times in all those travel magazines. I have nothing against her, and if I’m going to marry her sister I would like to get to know her better, but Teagan seems hell bent against that, so….I don’t know.” James answered,

“Have you ever thought about just going to the bakery to talk to her?” Adonis asked.

“I actually did, I got as far as the parking lot. Teagan called me, and when she found out where I was….” James didn’t need to finish what he was about to say. What? What happened? The bitch lost her fucking mind!

“Apparently I wasn’t respecting her wishes, I didn’t realize that was against the rules when I did it, clearly it was. I just wanted to talk to her” James added.

“If you’re questioning your relationship with this….Teagan to the extent that you don’t know whether she is more serious about you or your money then I think you already have your answer. And if she won’t let you get to know her sister then that begs the question what does she have to hide? Or she’s afraid that you will like her sister more than her.” Adonis didn’t want to like James, but he did. He wasn’t the one that had the issue with his mate. The issue solely belonged to the sister.

“Tell me what you see.” He threw the file he was looking at in front of James to get his take on it. They spent the next hour going over the files on his desk.

Didn’t want to like him! Nope! Ended up liking him! I don’t want to kill him! How long until we see our mate? One track mind Odin! Adonis rolled over in the bed again trying to fall back to sleep. Maybe call her! I’m not calling her! Why not? She’ll be awake! I’m not calling her! Bet she’ll be excited to hear from us! I’m not calling her! Why not? She’ll pick up! I’m not calling her! Is that all you’re going to answer? Odin, knock it off! I just wanna hear her voice! Odin, no! Call the brothers to see what happened with it! They’re definitely not awake! She’ll pick up! If I call her will you shut up? Call her and find out! You’re supposed to be a bloodthirsty hellhound! I am a bloodthirsty hellhound! Who’s harassing me to call our mate like a love sick puppy! What? I can be both. I love her! Adonis rolled onto his back and looked at the time. It was 4:30 he knew she would be at the bakery right now getting things set up for the day. Not knowing what he would say to her, he dialed the number.

Kenzi was just getting a tray of muffins in one of the ovens when her phone started ringing.

“Hello?” She replied breathlessly into the phone, she had been so busy trying to get everything done that she hasn’t had time to take a break yet. Plus the conversation she had with herself this morning kept going through her head. It wasn’t even a conversation, it was more a series of unanswerable questions.

“Good morning my gorgeous little sweetheart, what have you been doing that has left you all breathless?” His deep sexy voice cut into her thoughts and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face at the sound of it.

“Good morning Adonis! I’m baking” she giggled, thankfully he wasn’t there to see the blush that crossed her face.

“Baking I see, and what are you baking now?” He asked,

“Jus the staples, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, bread” She replied,

“Cookies and cupcakes are staples huh?” He asked, calling her seemed to be exactly what he needed. Told you! Shut up!

“Yes they are”

“How covered in chocolate are you?”

“I’m not!”

“Damn! There goes that fantasy”

“The things you say to me” Kenzi could feel her face going redder and redder.

“The things I say to you are the PG version, I could say the R rated ones I’m thinking” he smiled bigger when he heard the hitch in her breathing. By now she was probably 6 shades of red.

“I’m hanging up now!” Though she huffed at him, he could still hear the laughter in her voice.

“Wait, wait, wait, one more question before you do that”

“What?” She asked, trying not to laugh.

“Are you?”

“Am I what?” He heard the confusion.

“Are you wearing any?”

“I’m not telling.” He fought his chuckle as she made her squeaked reply. Eight shades of red now!

“Oh, by not telling me, you’re saying you want me to come find out for myself then.” He was finding it harder and harder not to laugh at the squeak she made into the phone when he said that.

“No, I di-dint say that, I di-dint say that.” Make that ten!

“You didn’t say that? Are you sure? That’s what I heard”

“You jus hearded what you wantded to hearded”

“Maybe! But it works for me. Are you going to ask me?”

“No! I’m not going to ask you, you’re pro-prob-ba-prolly nakded!”

“You think about me naked?” Even if she didn’t she would be now.

“NO! I don’t, I don’t think about you nakded, I don’t” she squeaked, she was now though as images and thoughts began to swirl around her mind.

“Shame you’re not here ….grrRrrRrrRrrr….” his voice dropped to a husky suggestive tone, a low rumble released from him, sending shivers up her spine.

“Why?” She breathed, he could hear the effect he had on her through the phone, his smile widening. Her breath stilled, who knows what he was going to say this time.

“We could be naked together.” He thought he might have pushed too far with that one. She apparently was just collecting herself.

“You’re shame-less, Mr. Bradshaw!” She sounded even more breathless now, he could only imagine what she was thinking.

“Ask me, Ms. Templeton”

“I’m not ass-king!”

“But you wanna know, I know you wanna know”

“I’m not ass-king!”

“You’re not denying you wanna know either. If you tell me, I’ll tell you.” He heard a long pause and he hoped she didn’t hang up on him. Is she thinking about it? I hope so!

“You first!” Devil gets his wish!

“Grey boxer briefs, your turn”

“Grey coddon boyshorts, with bunnies on the boddom, I has to go back to work now”

“Ok my little bunny butt” he heard her giggle and he could envision her pink blush and little wrinkled nose accompanying the sound. “Don’t work too hard”

“Goodbye Mr. Bradshaw!”

“Goodbye Ms. Templeton!”

Kenzi hung up the phone, her hand went to her dropped mouth and her cheeks flaming red. She couldn’t believe she told him the panties she had on. Her butterflies were in a frenzy the second she heard his voice. Then he mentioned coming to find out what she was wearing for himself. She was surprised he couldn’t hear her heart beat through the phone. It was beating so loud at the thoughts that went through her head. Her body shivered with excitement at the thoughts when he said they could be naked together. Oh boy! That man was doing something to her. Kenzi never had thoughts like that before, now she can’t make them stop. She couldn’t stop thinking about his hands on her, how gentle they moved over her. How her skin would heat up at the innocent or maybe now not so innocent touches he makes. How the muscles of his strong arms or chest felt under her fingers when she dared to explore the tiniest bit. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she wanted to explore his body more. How she wanted to feel the curves and contours of him. How she wanted to feel his mouth on hers. Her heart raced, her breath hitched, her thoughts ran wild and dull pulsing could be felt between her thighs. She needed to stop. Stop the thinking, the fantasies, the images. She needed to calm down and cool off.

Naked together! Shut up, I wasn’t thinking! Not with your big head anyway! Shut up, this is your fault! My fault? I never told you to mention getting naked together! It’s still your fault! I’m surprised she didn’t hang up on you! Me too! Visions of her naked in his bed were now swimming around in his mind. He never should have said anything. Good luck getting back to sleep now! Shut up! He needed to control his breathing and stop thinking. Stop thinking about her, her scent, her touch. How her body shivered when he ran his hand up her. How soft her skin felt when he touched it. How does she have the most touchably softest skin he’s ever had the pleasure of putting his hands on? The way she feels when she’s pressed against him, the hitch her breath makes when he says something that causes racy thoughts to enter her mind. He felt a fire raging in him out of control with his want for her, his need for her, he desired her. He needs to stop, he needs to calm down and cool off. Getting out of bed he walked into the bathroom and had the longest coldest shower of his life.

“Good morning honey child” Maggie called when she walked into the kitchen to get coffee.

“Morning Maggie!” Kenzi called back,

“You’re cheery this morning” Maggie commented “How much coffee have you had?” She asked, causing her to giggle

“Only two cups, but it’s a good day.” Kenzi said, her smile big and bright on her face.

“No Mr. Bradshaw today?” Maggie asked, arching a quizzical eyebrow. The simple mentioning of his name, and Kenzi blushed remembering the conversation she had with him only hours ago.

“Nope, not today. He has bus-is-ness in the city” Kenzi replied, trying to turn away from her so she could calm her racing thoughts down, but it didn’t stop her smile from getting bigger.

“Is that so?” Maggie asked,

“Yeah!” Though she kind of missed seeing him today, but she would see him maybe tomorrow after she got back from the city. She would have to ask Teagan what the plan was.

“Are you going to see him tomorrow?” Maggie asked,

“I don’t know, maybe” Kenzi turned to look at Maggie and saw her raised eyebrows. “I mean….I live ness door to him so I could end up seeing him at….sum-tine….tomorrow….maybe.” Her face went red.

“Oh course, that’s what I meant as well,” Maggie said. “I’m going to open the bakery now”

“Ok Maggie” Kenzi replied as she got back to work. Maggie couldn’t help the smile on her face as she walked back to the front. Kenzi looked lighter and freer than she has in a long time.

A few hours later Kenzi came out of the kitchen with more items to stock the shelves with.

“Why don’t you go take a break for a couple hours?” Maggie suggested.

“It’s ok, I’m leafing early so I don’t need a break” Kenzi replied as she added more items to the display case.

“Kenzi, you put any more baked goods in there and we’re not going to be able to close the doors.” Maggie said, looking at the overflowing display case.

“I gedded a liddle ca-air-ied away,” Kenzi said. She’s added trays and trays of items to the display case all morning.

“Just a little bit. Go away now for an hour or two” Maggie insisted, taking the tray from Kenzi and putting it down on the counter.

“Are you sure?” Kenzi asked,

“Yes!” Maggie smiled brighter. Her honey child was back. The last time she overstocked the display case was before she started dating Adam.

“Ok, I’ll be back in an hour” Kenzi said then she walked out of the bakery. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to be doing right now. Maybe she would go talk to Harvey, then go see Patrick.

Adonis was back in meetings for the better part of the day, but his mind wouldn’t stop drifting to his little mate and her bunny bottom. I’m missing the bunnies! Odin huffed in his head. So am I! He missed her, he missed her smell, being able to see her reactions as he flirted with her. He wondered how red she went over the naked comment. He wondered if she needed a cool down like he did after their conversation. It took some extra self attention and two cold showers to stop his mind from racing and if he didn’t stop thinking about her it was going to be three. Granted listening to these people drone on and on about themselves and their accomplishments was rather irritating and seemed to foul his mood quite drastically. The thought of his beauty was the only thing stopping him from snapping a neck or two. If they were doing their jobs successfully then the company wouldn’t be failing.

“Where do you see yourself in ten years?” Adonis asked one, who replied sitting in his chair. He didn’t seem to like it when Adonis said he saw him in the unemployment line. Cutting him a severance cheque right there on the spot, the figure he gave he told him was more than generous considering, his work ethic was sloppy and from what he could see he was rather lazy. Yesterday he released eight people, today so far he let go of another six. Cutting the dead weight was part of the process, but his current mood made it a little more enjoyable. He hated the city, he didn’t want to stay for the party, he missed his mate, he just wanted her. He wanted to take her somewhere just the two of them. His bag was already packed at the hotel so all he had to do was throw it in the back of his truck and head home after the party, hopefully his mate was with him. How much longer till we see her? Not soon enough! You better fucking kiss her the second you see her! I might not stop there! Truthfully that was his intention. The fact that she didn’t hang up on him after what he said to her was promising.

Kenzi went to see Patrick first, deciding she was hungry, he wouldn’t give her fries for breakfast even though it was close to lunch and she argued that fries were like hash browns, just a longer version. Instead he gave her chocolate chip pancakes and extra bacon. She was now heading off to talk to Harvey about ordering another set of ovens for the bakery. Walking into the hardware store though there was someone she’d never seen before standing behind the counter.

“Hi! Can I help you with something?” He asked, he was tall, with dark brown hair, piercing blue eyes, tan skin and muscles.

“Um….is Harvey here?” Kenzi asked, looking at him.

“No, he went out with Xander to pick up some materials for a customer, he should be back soon. My name’s Tommy, is there something I can help you with?” The man replied, extending his hand towards her.

“Kenzi Templeton” She introduced herself, shaking his hand. He seemed to stand straighter when he heard her name. “You work with Harvey?” She asked after a minute.

“Yes Ms. Kenzi, I do. Was just hired yesterday.” Tommy replied.

“That’s good! Harvey needed the help. Special-ly when it’s garden-ing tine. I try to help, but I can’t move the planters. Some of them weigh more than I do.” No matter how hard he tried, Tommy couldn’t hide his smile at what she said. He looked her up and down, his Beta was right, she was a tiny little thing.

“Hey! Tommy you see where Mr. Blidel pu….” Kenzi turned at the sound of another voice. There stood another tall tanned muscular man, with blonde hair, grey eyes staring back at her.

“Hey Cage, this is Mr. Blidel’s granddaughter, Kenzi.” Tommy introduced her, giving him a pointed look. Cage looked from her to Tommy then back to her. Standing straighter at the mention of her name, he now held a sheepish look on his face, realizing he just checked out his Luna. It was hard not to, she was frickin gorgeous.

“Hi!” She held out her hand,

“Nice to meet you!” He said, as he accepted, looking down at how tiny it was in his. “Mr. Blidel said you was a tiny little thing, but I didn’t think you was that tiny”

“Pay no attention to him. He was dumped on his head when he was little” Tommy said, drawing her attention back to him, giving Cage a look. “Did you come in for something?” Tommy asked,

“Oh yes! I wantded to ask Harvey boud gedding a uther set of ovens for the bakery” She replied,

“Another set?” Tommy asked raising his eyebrows at her

“Bakery?” Cage asked, piquing his interest. He’s been drooling all morning.

“I’m the baker for Sweet Talk Bakery. There’s four ovens, but six would make it so I could bake more and Harvey said there was space for them.” She answered both questions.

“No shit! You’re the one responsible? You can smell that bakery from over here. It’s frickin delicious my mouth’s been watering everyday since I got here” Cage blurted. They watched the pink flush creep across her cheeks. When her nose wrinkled a little they couldn’t help the smiles that crossed their faces.

“Alright Xander, that should be it for material today, we’ll call Jackson after lunch to let him know we have an order ready for him.” Harvey said as he and a third tall man entered the store. Wow! This town is starding to swim in tall people! She thought as she looked between the three of them. Xander gave her a thorough once over before he arched a questioning eyebrow and looked to Tommy and Cage for answers.

“Mr. Blidel, your granddaughter’s here” Tommy announced.

“Kenzi! So good to see you. How are you today my darling?” Harvey said, his face lighting up at the sight of her. As soon as the name was out of his mouth Xander too stood straighter and averted his eyes.

“Hi Harvey! It’s a good day, how are you?” She beamed him a big smile.

“Good, come on kid, you can join this old man for lunch” Harvey beamed right back.

“Sounds like you already has a lunch date Harvey. I’m Kenzi Templeton” she replied, looking at Xander.

“Xander” was the only thing he could think to say. None of them thought for a second they would be meeting their Luna today.

“I’ll pass up lunch with the boys, for lunch with a beautiful lady any day of the week” Harvey fired back, holding out his arm for her. Her nose wrinkled at the compliment as she grabbed a hold of his arm and he led them back out of the store.

“It was nice meeting you guys,” she said.

“You too, Ms. Kenzi” Tommy called after them.

“That her?” Xander asked after they saw them walking across the town square heading towards the diner.

“That’s her. Good first impression, you’re lucky she didn’t notice either one of you checking her out. And you’re both double lucky Alpha’s not here” Tommy replied, laughing.

“Don’t laugh, I didn’t know who she was and I never expected to meet Luna like that.” Xander defended himself, he was expecting a more formal meeting, not walking into work and there she was.

“Don’t worry about it, Cage already stuck his foot in his mouth” Tommy cracked up laughing even more.

“Beta Jackson wasn’t lying when he said she’s a tiny little thing” Xander said, motioning with his hands.

“How he not crush her yet?” Cage blurted,

“Cage!” Xander barked,

“Don’t you Cage me, you both thinking it. He a big man, she a itty bitty lil thing.” Cage replied, defensively.

“Yeah, we just ain’t stupid enough to say it out loud” Xander shot back. “That our Alpha!”

“Still a big man!” Cage grumbled,

“Stop talking Cage!” Tommy barked at him,

“Why she smell like cookies?” Xander asked, shaking his head at him, trying to ignore Cage’s under the breath grumblings. A peace washed over him that he hadn’t felt since his childhood, like a part of him was no longer missing. She felt like home.

“She’s the baker at Sweet Talk Bakery” Tommy, replied

“That makes sense, but she smells like my dad’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Member those, you an Gage jumped the deck the second he took them out the oven.” Xander said to Cage.

“I thought I recognized that scent,” Cage agreed.

Adonis couldn’t help but watch the clock, the party was to start at eight. It was only one, this day was taking forever to get through. These people were boring, their lives were boring, their voices were boring and he didn’t really want to talk to them anymore. He also didn’t want to have to deal with this on Monday either, so he pushed through, letting go of another 5 people, one because she walked into the office and immediately unbuttoned her blouse. He had to bite back the growl Odin tried to let slip past him when she did that. With only eighty more people left on the list to talk to, he decided it was time for a break. He was fucking starving and he wanted to hear how it went at Joe’s. Granted the eighty remaining people were most likely thankful for that as well. He would periodically walk through the office to stretch his legs and their voices would shut up immediately in his presence. They’re probably regretting throwing him a welcome party now. Usually he waits for a month before he starts cutting the dead weight, but he wanted to move on this fast, he also needed more positions for the few select pack members he just called home; he wanted to get them into the cities as fast as possible.

Once again walking out of his office and past the break room he heard conversations come to a halting end well before they were close to being finished. Carrying twenty of the remaining employee files with him, he was going to go over them again while he talked to his boys. Make sure of his decisions.

“Did you hear, he fired Sarah?”

“What did she think was going to happen? Flash him her boobs and he’d promote her. Their nice and all but not gonna get her to the top”

“He let go of Jack and Eddie as well.”

“The man is cold, calculating, and lethal, just blew through and started making cuts”

“Shut up you idiots, he could hear you and you could be next”

“Have you talked to him yet?”

“No, either of you?”

“No!”

“Then you should keep your mouths shut. Jack and Eddie were lazy, you both know that. James did their work for them, that’s why he’s still here and they’re not. If they spent more time doing their job and less time trying to bang the mail girl they would be as well.” He overheard that conversation on the way out the door. Maybe he had time for one more interview. Stopping outside the office.

“Names” He commanded, three heads snapped in his direction

“Johnathan Lambert” the first one to speak was the one guy that was telling the others to shut up. Blonde hair, green eyes 5’9. Crisp sharp suit. Elijah would be proud! Carried himself with pride but wasn’t boastful about it.

“Mark Morgan” Said another, 6 feet, slicked back brown hair, hazel eyes, little more on the muscular side, but still a toothpick compared to him.

“Trisha Halpert” 5 ’8 long black hair, hazel eyes, slender figure. Would have been his type, if he hadn’t already met his mate. Checking the files quickly none of them were in the pile he took.

“It takes twenty minutes to get from here to the front doors in the lobby. You have that long to plead your case on why you should stay over your colleagues. Only two of you will make the cut….maybe” Adonis walked out of the office. He had money on the chick matching stride with him. With the way she was looking him up and down he would be shocked if she was the last in the office.

“I’ve been with the company eight years and have brought in various clientele” He heard her purr in his ear. A small victorious smile played on his lips. Whore! Odin huffed in his head. She gets any closer she’ll be in your pants! Easy Odin! She smells like dead flowers and she’s whiney! He listened to her voice drone on about her many accomplishments over the other two.

“Can it Trisha, my turn,” Mark cut her off, then proceeded to drone on about himself. Adonis had gone over all their files at great length. Mark seemed clean, while this Trish seemed a little shaky at best. Yes she brought in clients he just wasn’t sure of her methods. He was curious about Johnathan though who hadn’t said anything yet. He by far had the highest accomplishments out of all of them. His clients might not be in the high numbers, but he brought in some of the highest clients. Making it to the elevators Adonis turned to all of them.

“Johnathan!” His voice was deep and authoritative,

“Yes sir!” He spoke looking up at him.

“You’re not saying much!” Adonis addressed him,

“No sir!” Johnathan replied,

“This is your chance, why should I keep you on here?” Adonis asked him,

“If you’re going by quantity you shouldn’t. I don’t have the numbers Trisha or Mark have. My client count is small in comparison. That being said, having a small amount of clients to look after allows me the time to thoroughly research any prospects that I would believe to be a good fit for them to invest in. It allows me to take my time and make sure any and all investments they make, they are quite satisfied with. Keeps them happy and keeps them coming back.” Jonathan replied,

“Why do you not step forward when being spoken to?” Adonis asked,

“Should I be sent for something it is easier to leave than have to fight through a crowd of people to get there, gives me more time to hit the ground running and not have to worry about who’s toes I just stepped on” Jonathan answered.

“James is working on Mercer and Myer, he’s going to need a second set of hands.” Adonis spoke,

“Yes sir!” And he was gone.

“One spot open” Adonis turned back to the elevator as soon as it dinged and the doors opened. He stepped in with both Mark and Trisha in his ear again fighting to be heard over each other.

Kenzi had tried to go back to the bakery after her lunch with Harvey at the diner, but Maggie waved her away telling her no. She wandered around town square for a bit before she found herself at the park, by the waters edge. Sitting in the grass alone she watched all the other people interact with each other. With no one to talk to she put in her headphones and hit play on her phone. She would just kill time till Maggie let her back in the bakery. Lost in her own world she didn’t realize someone had sat down beside her till she bumped into their shoulder. Pulling her headphones off immediately.

“Oh goodness, I’m so sorry, I di-dint….Jackson!” She started off by apologizing to the person she bumped into then got excited when she saw who it was.

“Hey, Lil Kenzi Cakes, what you doin?” Jackson asked with a big grin on his face.

“Nothing, jus sidding here waiting,” Kenzi replied, her own big smile on her face.

“What you waitin for?” Jackson asked,

“Maggie kickded me out of the bakery for a few hours. So I’m waiting till I can go back. I has breakfast and lunch in the span of an hour and gedded a uther set of ovens for the bakery and I di-dint know what else to do, I don’t has nowhere else to go” Kenzi replied,

“Oh, why Maggie kick you out the bakery?” That didn’t make sense to him, needed a baker to have a bakery.

“I over-flowded the display cases. I hasn’t done that in almos a year.” She explained,

“That be why her kick you out then” Jackson nodded his head.

“Yeah!” Kenzi too nodded her head.

They sat in silence for a bit, just watching all the other people.

“Harvey, call you?” She asked,

“Yeah, how you know?” Jackson asked,

“I was in the hardware store, and hearded Harvey say he was gonna call you after lunch, sum-thing boud a sh-shi-ship….order of m-ma-mat….stuff. He has people working with him now. That’s a good thing, I try to help, but I can’t move the planters. They weigh more than I do and I’m gedding a magnolia tree” she happily announced.

“Them planters are big an you a itty bitty lil thin” Jackson stated looking at her “Bet you can fit in one though” He added after, cracking a grin

“I’m not that small” she stated back but the grin on her face got bigger, as she nodded her head. She could indeed fit in one, she got bored one day while she was helping Harvey and tried it.

“Lil Kenzi Cakes you knee high on a grasshopper. The only thin big on you is that smile an yur heart. You a good person.” Her nose wrinkled and the all too familiar pink blush spread from the bridge of her nose across her cheeks. “Frickin adorable!” He added after he saw it.

“I ask you somein?” He asked after they sat for a bit.

“Sure!” She looked at him.

“Why you sittin all alone? Why ain’t no one talkin to you?” Jackson asked as he looked at all the other people in the park. They were drawing their interest but nobody actually came over to talk to her.

“Oh….um not many people talk to me. Some say hi if they see me, but they don’t want to talk to me.” Kenzi looked down at her hands in her lap. “It’s ok, I has my music and it gives me lots of tine to work on my recipes,” she added, nodding her head.

“You has cooties?” Her head snapped up and she looked at him wide eyed.

“Um….I don’t, I don’t think so” her forehead creased as she looked at him concern washing over her face.

“Maybe they has cooties. That why they stayin away. Savin you from gettin they cooties” Jackson said,

“Maybe, do you has cooties Jackson?” She asked, looking at him.

“Nope, I gotta cootie check not that long ago,” He declared very proudly,

“You gedded a cootie check?” She asked giggling.

“Yup, I clean,” Jackson said laughing.

“Maybe they jus stupid” Jackson said after they fell into another silence.

“Jackson I don’t think you can say that” She looked at him shocked

“Sure I can, they all stupid” He repeated himself,

“Maybe not all of them” Kenzi looked back at all the people in the park,

“Nah, all of em. Who leave a pretty girl to sit all by herself? Stupid people, that who” she blushed again as her nose wrinkled “Still fricken adorable!” He said, causing her blush to darken. “I gotta get goin Lil Kenzi Cakes, Harvey waitin on me.”

“Ok Jackson, thanks for talking to me, I’ll see you around” She smiled at him and watched him get up. He started to walk away before he stopped.

“Hey Kenzi!” He called her

“Yeah Jackson?” She looked back at him

“I always talk to you. You my favourite people” Jackson said,

“You’re my fav-varite people too Jackson” She waved at him as he walked away and she turned back around to stare at the lake.

Riding down the elevator with two people vying for his attention, was starting to get on his nerves. Odin was also restless in his head, he wanted his mate and made it known numerous times he didn’t like being away from her. Trisha was more interested in degrading everything Mark was saying than pleading her case in staying, on top of that she was standing incredibly close to him. Adonis! I know Odin! She better back the fuck off! Relax Odin! I’ma bite her! No, you won’t! I’ma break her arms off! Lavender and green apples! I’ma, I’ma bury her! Plum coloured hair and silver eyes! I’ma, I’ma, I’ma! Wrinkled nose with a pink blush! That’s fucking cheating! Hang on to those thoughts! Asshole! Soon Odin! Mark on the other hand was trying to tell him of his plans for a client he was trying to land. The man showed incentive, Adonis would give him that, his ideas were wild and out there.

“Think tamer! Not so out there for a first meeting. You don’t want to go big out of the gate. Do some more research, everyone has something they’re after, it’s your job to find it.” Adonis spoke to Mark without looking at him.

“You know what this is bullshit. When I land K Co, you’ll beg me to stay.” That statement caught his attention.

“K Co? You’ll never get K Co” Mark scoffed

“K Co?” Adonis asked, looking at Trisha, his brow arched. She might be standing close enough to be in his pants, but the whore might have information.

“White whale. There’s this bakery in Blackwoods, Dirty Talk or Pillow Talk or something like that. The profits for it have doubled every year. First year alone, banked just under a million. Second year profits doubled, this year is looking to do the same. That bakery draws more people to this area than anything else. I’m gonna land it” Trisha boasted.

“No you’re not. K Co doesn’t exist” Mark shook his head,

“I will so and it does so” Trisha huffed back. Her argument sounded more like a tantruming toddler than a thirty year old woman trying to be professional.

“Do your research Trisha, no it doesn’t. No one owns K Co, it’s a dummy corp, a shell. It’s used to protect the owner’s anonymity. Your white whale is the owner of Sweet Talk bakery. Not K Co! And I’m already looking into it. I love that bakery, that frickin baker’s a gorgeous genius in the kitchen and I bet the owner is just kicking back laughing. Out baked the competition.” Mark replied. “There used to be another bakery in the town, Sweet Talk opened up and it was closed in less than six months.” Mark added when he saw Adonis’s questioning eyebrow.

“Interesting! No one knows who the owner is?” Adonis questioned,

“Nope!” Mark replied.

This is the longest elevator ride ever! When the doors finally opened Adonis moved quickly, towards the exit. Mark was right beside him still talking about a client he wanted to land and wanted Adonis’s opinion on it. He didn’t want to like the guy. We like the guy! Damn it!

“Send me the file” he said as he reached the door. “Your times up” Mark took the hint and stopped talking, but Trisha kept going until the doors opened and in walked thirteen tall men wearing suits. They looked like they stepped off the cover of GQ. Trisha’s words hung in the air as her mouth hung open watching the parade of man candy. Each one bowed slightly towards Adonis and kept right on walking towards the elevators.

“Floor” one called,

“The top” Adonis called back,

“Screw you guys I ain’t getting in that tin can” said another.

“Fine take the stairs, see ya at the top”

“Two says I can get there before you”

“You’re on....hey you can’t go yet”

“I ain’t gotta wait for no tin can” Three bolted for the stairs laughing as the others cursed them for cheating.

“Keep up Mark, you’re showing them around.” Mark nodded and ran back towards the elevators.

“What no chick? That blows”

“She’d have to pick her jaw up off the floor first.” A chorus of laughter rang out through the lobby at that comment. With the dinging of the elevator four more took off up the stairs and the rest piled into the waiting elevator with Mark looking small surrounded by them.

“Could have been you! But the slightest sight of something shiny and you got distracted. On top of that, I don’t enjoy having someone in my pants with me when there is no reason for it and I am not seeing them. Visit HR and begone when I get back” with that said Adonis walked out of the building.

At two Maggie finally let Kenzi back in the bakery, the display cases were nearly bare and she had been busy in the back making stuff to refill them for the five o’clock rush. Maggie had been busy all day in the front of the bakery with customers. Kenzi knew Maggie would rather be in the back with her and she would love to have Maggie back there with her. Maybe Monday she would take the front and Maggie can be in the kitchen. Or maybe she would let Maggie have Monday off, she deserved two days off, she works hard. It was now four and she had just finished cleaning in the kitchen so she could go home and be ready for when Teagan came to pick her up.

“Hey Maggie, do you wanna take Monday off as well?” Kenzi asked when she stepped out of the kitchen.

“Why would I want to take Monday off?” Maggie asked her, she was a little shocked by Kenzi’s question.

“You spended most of the day in the bakery by yourself today, and you’re gonna close up. You work hard Maggie, you serve to has Monday off as well.” Kenzi exclaimed looking at her friend.

“You’re the sweetest little thing, but it’s either I work here or I work the diner with Patrick. I live with the man, I love the man, don’t make me spend two days working with the man.” Maggie said, looking back at her.

“Ok Maggie,” Kenzi replied, laughing. “Then do you want to work in the kitchen? I can take the front”

“How about we decide on Monday?” Maggie said inreturn.

“Ok!” Kenzi agreed,

“You should get going” Maggie looked at her watch and noticed the time. Kenzi nodded, said her goodbye and walked out of the bakery for the final time that day.

Crossing the parking lot she started checking her pockets for her car keys. Nuts!! She checked her pockets again, and when she reached her car there they were sitting on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. Double nuts!! Pulling her phone, she called Frank.

“Hi Frank!” She said,

“I know Frank, but I like my car. I know what all the buddons do”

“On the floor”

“Ok, see you in a bit” disconnecting the call, she rested her forehead against the driver side window. Today is still a good day!

It didn’t take long for Frank to show up this time, but when the door opened it wasn’t Frank that exited the tow truck. Tall, muscular, blonde hair, bronzed skin and grey eyes looked questioningly at her. He looked very similar to the man she met at the hardware store, slightly taller maybe. He flashed her a friendly smile, showing his perfect white teeth.

“What seems to be the trouble Miss?” He asked, as his eyes roamed her body. Looking from him to the car then back to him.

“Do you work with Frank?” She asked. He slowly approached her, though she seemed cautious of him, she wasn’t running away either. She sort of looked like a deer caught in the headlights, unsure of what to do. So this is Lil Button huh? He thought. She was a gorgeous little thing, with little being the key word.

“Yes I do. Was hired yesterday, he was a little busy helping another customer when you called. My name’s Gage” he replied, extending his hand.

“Kenzi Templeton! I lockded my keys in the car” she introduced herself as she accepted his hand. As soon as she said her name he stood straighter. Why did he do that? The men at the hardware store did the assact same thing!

“Kenzi! Kenzi from the tally board?” He asked, slightly kicking himself for checking out his Luna. he was expecting to meet Lil Button, not Luna. Knowing who she is he couldn’t help it, he gave her another once over slightly perplexed. How he not crush her yet? He thought

“Frank tellded you boud that?” She asked, a sheepish grin on her face.

“He did. I believe this puts you at forty four now. Looking forward to that cake.” Gage said to her.

“Yeah! I know I should ged a new car, where I can’t lock my keys in it, but I like this car. I know what all the buddons do” She said looking up at him.

“Well, then I guess we’ll be getting that cake soon. Like I said, I’m looking forward to it. I can smell the mouth watering aroma of the bakery from down the block.” Gage watched the pink blush spread across her face, but he smiled brighter when he saw her nose wrinkle. Fucking adorable! He thought. Beta Jackson’s right, she’s the sweetest little thing ever!

“Let’s get you into your car.” He said, moving closer to her he caught the scent of something. Something very familiar to him, something that reminded him of his childhood and jumping decks. He immediately felt even more at ease around her, the beast in his head purring with contentment at her close proximity. She watched as he flipped through the keys on the keyring till he found one marked with a K.

“I’m assuming this one is for your car,” he said, holding it up.

“Yup! Frank used to pop the lock, but after a month he disighded he needed to get a key cut” he chuckled at her.

“Do you has a brother?” Kenzi asked out of the blue,

“Yes I do, how did you know?” He asked,

“I was at the hardware store earlier and Harvey has sum-one working with him that looks very sim….like you. He’s smaller, taller than me….ez-zry-ones taller than me, but smaller than you, only by a liddle bit though.” she said, watching him as he unlocked the car door and opened it for her.

“Was his name Cage?” Gage asked.

“Yeah!” She nodded her head.

“That was my younger brother. You met him huh?” He was kinda disappointed he didn’t get to meet her first. Cage was going to rub it in, but at least he met her before their sister did.

“Yeah! He was really nice” She replied.

“That’s good. Our daddy kick his ass if he wasn’t. Gotta older sister as well. Her name is Sage, she’s gonna be working at the florist” Gage said,

“Cage, Gage and Sage” She repeated the names

“Our parents had a thing with rhyming our names. Have a few older siblings as well, but their names don’t rhyme” Gage explained,

“That’s cute!” Kenzi exclaimed, with a little giggle. Now that was cute! He thought.

“Yeah….a guy don’t wanna hear that its cute his name rhymes with his siblings” Gage said shaking his head, but the smile never left his face

“Oh….sorry” She offered him an apologetic smile before she bit her bottom lip,

“It’s alright, we can jus keep that between us.” He replied, when he saw the look of concern cross her face he offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

“Ok” She agreed, smiling back at him.

“There you go Ms. Kenzi. Hope you lock your keys in the car some more, I’m really looking forward to that cake” She blushed slightly

“I don’t think that’s sum-thing you need to hope for. I has a record, it’s preddy much going to happen. Thank you for your help. It was nice meeting you”

“You’re welcome, it was nice meeting you as well” He replied, closing the door after she grabbed her keys off the floor and climbed in.